New Yorkers could earn money by submitting videos of exhaust-spewing cars under proposed bill

The legislation would let average citizens submit videos of exhaust-spewing cars — and pocket half the fine collected by the city. (Stefan Redel, sredel@sredel.de/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

New Yorkers could earn cash by dropping a dime on motorists who let their cars idle under a new bill in the City Council.

The legislation would let average citizens submit videos of exhaust-spewing cars — and pocket half the fine collected by the city.

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Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), who will introduce the bill this week, said the unusual tactic is necessary because current laws against environmentally dangerous idling are almost never enforced.

It's illegal to let a car or truck run for more than three minutes, or for more than one minute near a school.

"The enforcement is so terrible," she said. "The health impact of idling cars is bad. (It contributes to) asthma, heart disease, cancer."

The bill also hikes fines for idling, to $350 to $1,500. Currently, the penalty ranges from $220 to $1,000. First-time offenders are let off with a warning.

Idling cars and trucks in the city produce 130,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year, studies have found.

Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), who will introduce the bill this week. (Jeff Bachner/for New York Daily News)

Would-be whistleblowers would have to take a training class offered by the Department of Environmental Protection before submitting complaints, and would have to identify themselves when submitting videos showing the offender's license plate.

The DEP would collect the fines and give up to half the money to the complaint filer.

A department spokesman declined to comment, saying it has not seen the legislation.

Rosenthal said she's not concerned encouraging snitching for cash will turn neighbor against neighbor, since drivers have nothing to worry about if they follow the law.

"The point is, it's illegal," she said. "This is about people who are really frustrated that we're not enforcing the law, and this is a solution."

Everyday New Yorkers are already able to submit evidence to report drivers for violations like failing to yield to pedestrians, but it would be the first time a complainer has been able to keep part of the fine.